Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from leaf segments of Piper colubrinum

Direct somatic embryogenesis from in vitro-cultured leaf segments of multip le disease-resistant pepper, Piper colubrinum Link is reported. Somatic emb ryos were initiated on Murashige and Skoog's (1962) basal medium containing 2.2 muM benzyladenine+0.46 muM kinetin and multiplied profusely through se condary embryogenesis on the same medium. Some 91% somatic embryos converte d into plantlets on MS medium supplemented with 4.4 muM benzyladenine+0.23 muM kinetin and plantlets developed on half-strength MS+2.4 muM indole-3-bu tyric acid. Plantlets were hardened, transferred to soil, and 100% of plant s survived. Various developmental stages of somatic embryogenesis were stud ied using histological methods.